Course Focus: Introduction to the structure, function, and metabolism of carbohydrates, nucleotides, lipids, proteins, and enzymes, with emphasis on biochemical systems and metabolic interrelationships.

Major Topics Covered:

• Chemical structures and reactivity of biomolecules

• Biological functions and roles of carbohydrates, nucleic acids, proteins, and lipids

• Protein structure, folding, and function (including hemoglobin and myoglobin)

• Enzyme mechanisms, kinetics, and inhibition

• Membrane structure and transport processes

• Bioenergetics and metabolic pathways

Learning Objectives:

• Explain biochemical processes by linking concepts from general and organic chemistry

• Identify and describe biomolecules and their polymerization products

• Analyze how molecular forces and thermodynamic principles drive self-assembly and function

• Interpret biochemical data and experimental results

Course Structure:

• Divided into four modules: proteins, carbohydrates/nucleic acids, lipids/bioenergetics, and metabolism/bioenergetics

• Lectures (recorded and available online), synchronous discussions, quizzes, problem-solving, and exams

Assessment:

• Problem solving (5%), discussion posts (10%), quizzes (10%), four exams (60%), and a cumulative final exam (15%)

Key Biochemical Equations:

• Henderson-Hasselbalch Equation (Buffer Systems): pH=pKa+log([A^-][HA])

• Michaelis-Menten Equation (Enzyme Kinetics): v=Vmax[S]Km+[S]

• Gibbs Free Energy Equation (Bioenergetics): ΔG=ΔH-TΔS

Textbook: Biochemistry by Voet, Voet, and Pratt (5th edition or older acceptable)

Skills Developed:

• Critical analysis of biochemical pathways and data

• Application of chemical principles to biological systems

• Problem-solving and scientific reasoning in biochemistry